Rockaway residents write children’s book

Joel and Roxy Thomas hope to change the world with their new children’s books.

“Why Bee Angry?” is the first children’s book from Joel Thomas, outdoor school coordinator at Twin Rocks Friends Camp. He began the book nearly ten years ago while studying elementary education at George Fox University in Newberg. The book will release August 1 on Amazon and his website.

And, yes, he and his wife Roxy have already started work on their next book.

“The plan is to release several books a year,” Joel Thomas said. “Some will be academic in nature while others will focus on Christian and Humanitarian values such as compassion, empathy, forgiveness, peace and love.”

Character-building is an emphasis with the new books, according to Joel Thomas. At the end of the story, there are several questions to spur critical thinking and introspection either in the classroom or at home. Because the stories will not end with a “happily ever after” finale, Joel Thomas said the humorous, often unexpected endings naturally lend themselves to discussion of the themes presented.

“It is super important to spur discussion,” he said. “In society, we often build conflict without resolution. It has seen a divide in countries and people groups across the planet.”

Joel Thomas said the art style he decided on for “Why Bee Angry?” is unique for a children’s book.

It uses paper. Lots of paper.

“The cut paper stuff was kind of a fluke. I’ve never seen [a children’s book] quite in this style,” Joel Thomas said, adding with a laugh, “I discovered I really liked cutting with scissors.”

Everything he populates the page with, from set-pieces to characters, is all created from erratic shapes he cuts out from colored paper. He then uses a Sharpie for additional detail.

If bees are not of interest, stay patient for the Thomases second book.